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Officer Linked to Gambling

Arundel Poker Probe Leads to Howard Suspension

By Allison Klein

Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 22, 2005; Page B09

During the day, Michael Anthony Thorn was a police officer in Howard County, where for 18 years he worked to uphold the law. At night, police say, Tykie Thorn was the manager and pit boss of an illegal Texas Hold 'Em poker casino run out of a warehouse in Anne Arundel County.

Thorn, 39, of Ellicott City and his father, Gary Thorn Sr., 63, of Glen Burnie were charged last week with running the casino, known as Tykie's Lodge, in Glen Burnie, according to Anne Arundel police.

Michael Thorn, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, was charged with eight counts of illegal gambling and related crimes. If convicted of all counts, he would face nine years in prison and a $4,100 fine.

Paid dealers ran the games, and gamblers bought chips imprinted with the word "Tykie" to play, according to charging documents. At the end of the night, players exchanged the chips for cash, records show. Pots were as big as $6,000.

In February, Baltimore County police raided another poker operation that allegedly was run by Thorn, documents show. Detectives were told by a manager there that the games were run by a nonprofit group and that winnings were donated to charitable organizations.

Baltimore County investigators told the operators to stop playing the games or they would face criminal charges, documents show.